How to calculate edges?

**Jerry V** · #1 10-31-2016, 12:16 AM

Good morning all,

I would like to hear your tips and tricks about this. A while ago I started designing some models of buildings, as long if all is straightforward, nothing is wrong. But when it comes to edges, like roofs, it's getting trickier.

See my example an existing villa build in 1914 in a small village nearby, the design was put together using the original drawings and photo's of the house.
Everyting was fine when the 'walls' went up, but it went downhill when the roofs needed to be fit;

My question would be, how do I calculate the amount of paper needed for the edges of the roof(s)

It might be noticed, that all is drawn by hand, no unfolding programm has been used.

With regards,

Jerry

**GaryPilsworth** · #2 10-31-2016, 01:09 AM

If you are using Windows you could try MB-Ruler which will show distance and angle on screen, if you cant find it PM me with your email and I'll send you the zip file

**Jerry V** · #3 10-31-2016, 05:32 AM

Thanks for the tip Gary, I'll give it a try!

Jerry

**db-sa** · #4 10-31-2016, 06:10 AM

The red lines must be the same length.

**Jerry V** · #5 10-31-2016, 06:46 AM

Thanks!, I'll give that a try as well!

**Burning Beard** · #6 10-31-2016, 07:08 AM

You can also solve it as a right triangle if you know the height and the width of the roof. If it is regular the use half the width as the base of the triangle.

Beard

**jleslie48** · #7 10-31-2016, 07:44 AM

I know I sound like a broken record, but the 3d software AC3D with pepakura will solve this in less than 10 minutes.

**jleslie48** · #8 10-31-2016, 08:14 AM

I added the roof texture so I was over my 10minutes schedule to make it 15 minutes.

**Jerry V** · #9 10-31-2016, 03:31 PM

Thanks for the replies, Beard, I will take the measurements of the roofparts and see what will come of it.

JLeslie, well it might work with AC3D, but I have no idea how to work with such a programm. My drawing and model are hand drawn in Coreldraw X4. The measurements are also taken by hand. It did work with my testbuild model of the Belfast pumphouse

(See here: the Thompson drydock pumphouse 1911) but I might have taken a wrong turn with the design of this villa, also me not being that good at math might be an issue

With regards,

Jerry

**jleslie48** · #10 10-31-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry V

T

JLeslie, well it might work with AC3D, but I have no idea how to work with such a programm. My drawing and model are hand drawn in Coreldraw X4. ...

With regards,

Jerry

Well then its even easier

Actually AC3D does have a learning curve, but at least it was just a hill to get over. I still can't get over the mountain that is sketchup, or any other 3d program. Given an already flattened set of walls and artwork, then the roof (and all the artwork for the walls etc,) get really easy.